Disease Control Archive Detail

Hepatitis A

What is Hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by many things including viruses, chemicals, drugs, alcohol, inherited diseases, or a person’s own immune system.

What is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is caused by a virus and can easily be passed between humans.

How is it spread? The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of people who are infected. It is usually spread in one of two ways:

Person to person contact:

when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom, and touches other objects or food

when a parent or caregiver doesn’t wash their hands after changing a diaper or cleaning up after an infected person

with certain sexual activities, such as oral-anal contact with an infected person

Eating or drinking infected food or water:

more likely to happen in countries where hepatitis A is common

food and drinks most likely to be affected are fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water

Chlorine in our drinking water kills any hepatitis A virus that enters the supply.

What are the symptoms? Some people get hepatitis A and have no symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. If someone has symptoms they may include:

Weakness

Nausea or vomiting

Stomach pain

Loss of appetite

Low-grade fever

Dark urine

Muscle or joint pain

Yellowing skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

How is Hepatitis A treated? There is no special treatment for hepatitis A. Those with symptoms may feel sick from less than 2 months to as long as 6 months before beginning to feel better. Some people need to go to the hospital. Rest, good nutrition, and fluids are most often suggested by doctors.

How can Hepatitis A be prevented?

Get the hepatitis A vaccination. Anyone over the age of 1 year may be vaccinated against hepatitis A. Children between the ages of 1-18 may receive the vaccine at no charge at their local health department. Those traveling to foreign countries where the disease is common should get the vaccine as soon as they know they will be traveling.

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water! Always wash well after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before eating or preparing food.